Stevenage leapfrogged Carlisle United in League Two's automatic promotion places last night.

Steve Evans' side went second thanks to a 1-0 home win over Crewe Alexandra.

Jamie Reid got the only goal at the Lamex Stadium for a second straight win which knocked the Blues down to third.

It came four days before the two sides meet in a huge promotion showdown at Brunton Park.

Stevenage substitute Reid struck in the 79th minute against 17th-placed Crewe.

Another of United's closest rivals picked up three points last night - fourth-placed Northampton Town.

They went a point behind Carlisle thanks to Sam Hoskins' goal in a 1-0 win over Mansfield Town.

Jon Brady's side, who are unbeaten in five, have now played a game more than the Cumbrians.

Elsewhere, Sutton United's play-off charge was checked by a 1-0 home defeat to Grimsby Town.

It was a first defeat in ten for the south London outfit, as Michee Efete's first-half goal was enough for Paul Hurst's 15th-placed Mariners.

Also in League Two, there was an eighth draw in ten games for Walsall, who were held 0-0 at home by Swindon Town.

The spoils were also shared by Newport County and AFC Wimbledon after the hosts' Harry Charsley cancelled out an Ali Al-Hamadi opener for the Dons.